A Guide to Frequently Asked Questions About Indonesian Halal Certification

Indonesian Halal certification - who does it apply to and what are the benefits?

About 88% of Indonesia's population is Muslim. This means the country ranks first in the world in terms of the proportion of the global Muslim population. Therefore, investors seeking to enter the country's market should pay special attention to obtaining Halal certification.

If you plan to sell food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics in Indonesia, Halal certification is one of the important permits you must not miss.

Halal certification applies to all products and services certified, in accordance with Halal regulations, to be free of prohibited ingredients or food safety and health hazards.

An Indonesian Halal certificate serves as effective proof verifying that a product's ingredients comply with Halal regulations, and as grounds for Indonesian Muslim citizens to be permitted to consume or use certain products or services.

The unit that issues Halal certificates in Indonesia is the BPJPH body under the Indonesian Ministry of Religious Affairs. The Halal certification process takes about 2-3 months, depending on the degree of difference between the enterprise owner and the Halal standard and the effort required to meet it. The Halal certification process requires many necessary steps, including training, the establishment of system documentation, gap assessment, and on-site auditing. Obtaining a Halal certificate through SINOQUAL ensures you save time and trouble.

Frequently asked questions about Indonesian Halal certification:

Q: Which products need to obtain BPJPH-Halal certification?

A: In Indonesia, Halal certification is a mandatory requirement. Products that must obtain Halal certification before they can be circulated and sold are: food and beverages, products resulting from slaughter and slaughter services, traditional medicines, quasi-drugs and health products, over-the-counter drugs, prescription drugs (except psychotropic drugs), cosmetics, chemical products, genetically engineered products, clothing, headwear and accessories, household healthcare products, household appliances, stationery, medical devices (Classes A, B, C), pharmaceuticals whose raw materials and/or production processes do not comply with relevant Halal laws and regulations, biological products, and medical devices.

Q: Which countries does Indonesian Halal certification apply to?

A: As the world's largest Halal market, Indonesia's government-level BPJPH-Halal certification, as the world's most authoritative and influential Halal certification body, is widely recognized by the global market. Halal certification bodies around the world take it as an honor to cite Indonesian Halal standards. Therefore, an Indonesian Halal certificate is accepted in almost all global Halal markets. However, some countries, such as Malaysia, have special Halal policies, so our factories need to choose a Halal certification body according to the real-time policies issued by Malaysia. In addition, if you export animal-derived food or beverages, those sold to the Egyptian Halal market require local Egyptian Halal certification. SINOQUAL provides you with a one-stop solution for global Halal market access; for any questions about Halal certification universality, please call SINOQUAL.

Q: What conditions are required for Indonesian Halal certification?

A: You need to meet the following conditions:

1. The products you produce must not contain Halal-prohibited items or their ingredients. Common prohibited ingredients are as follows:

A. Pigs;

B. Dogs, snakes, rats, cats and monkeys;

C. Carnivores with claws and fangs, such as lions, tigers, bears, etc.;

D. Birds of prey with claws, such as eagles, vultures and similar birds;

E. Pests, such as scorpions, centipedes and similar animals;

F. Generally repugnant animals, such as lice, flies and similar animals;

G. Amphibians such as frogs, crocodiles and salamanders;

H. Donkeys and mules (the Battle of Khaybar);

I. Blood and its derivatives.

J. Animals that Halal standards or regulations prohibit killing, such as ants, bees, woodpeckers, etc.

K. Those prohibited by law from being eaten, such as protected animals and those obtained by encroachment or theft

L. Any genetically modified animals and their products

M. Other prohibited animals and derivatives

N. Any animal not slaughtered in accordance with Halal standards or regulations

O. Plant-based substances that cause excitement and are toxic to humans

P. Beverages containing alcohol or named after alcohol

Q. Beverages that cause excitement and are harmful to humans

R. Any food with the above prohibited ingredients added

2. Your production premises should be far from pig farms or pig slaughterhouses (to prevent cross-contamination of personnel and equipment);

3. Conduct effective Halal training for all staff to ensure personnel have knowledge of Halal standards and, based on appropriate training or experience, ensure these personnel are competent in Halal-standard production and management.

4. Establish a Halal product system manual that complies with Indonesian Halal regulations, and formulate and implement Halal production and management according to the manual.

5. The production formula must provide necessary supporting documents to ensure all ingredients comply with Indonesian Halal standards.

For more questions about Halal certification, please call SINOQUAL's national unified service hotline: 400-001-7706

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